Canada - Day 3

     On Monday, day 3 of our trip, we went to go see Mark's grandma, who we call, "Beppe."  It's pronounced, "Bep-Uh."  She lives in an assisted living program and seems to be doing really well.  She turned 90 this past January and she's still so bright!  Mark, Marcus, and I went by first.  Mark's mom, Emma, and Sam came just shortly after we got there.  It was nice visiting with her, re-introducing Marcus, and just hanging out.  It only took Marcus a minute or two to warm up to her.  While there, the three children colored her a picture and played with various toys and books that we brought from home.
     When it was time for Beppe to go to lunch, we wheeled her down and said our goodbyes.  We then ate lunch and everyone went home.  Marcus took a good long nap when we got back.  Needless to say, he was tired.  We ate supper at home and then played a few rounds of t-ball out back.  Marcus really LOVED Sam's T, so we'll have to get him one for his birthday.  Next, we packed back into the car to go see Emma's soccer game.  It was a lovely field, close to where they all lived, so it was nice to drive over and watch her play.  Marcus and Sam enjoyed kicking a ball on the sidelines themselves while Lisa, Mark, and I watched the game.  When it was all over, Aunt Lisa had ring pops for all 3 of the children and Marcus was beyond excited about it. 
     Mark's cousin, Craig, came over for a visit to end the evening and we all enjoyed the nice weather, out on the deck.  The weather may have been dry while we were up there, but it was SO NICE during our stay.

Sam, Marcus, & Emma - coloring Beppe a picture

Beppe and Marcus talking - so cute!

Beppe and three of her five great-grandchildren.

While playing t-ball with Marcus, Mark actually hit the T off the stand.

Marcus thought this was hysterical.  He kept laughing saying, "Daddy broke it!  Daddy broke it!"

"Smiling" for mommy

Marcus & Sam playing their own game of soccer.

Emma's soccer game

Good thing Aunt Lisa brought juice boxes!

Sam showing off his ring pop

"Good game!"

Sweet Emma Grace - hot, sweaty, but still sweet!

All THREE were excited about their ring pops

Beautiful sunset from the back yard

Our view of the greenhouses from Mark's parents' back yard.

Canada - Day 2

     Sunday morning, we got up and went to church with Mark's dad.  Even though Marcus has never sat through a church service in entirety, Mark's dad insisted, so we relinquished control.  Much to my surprise, Marcus did exceptionally well.  He kept saying, "I wanna praise the Lord" referring to singing songs, and when he got antsy he'd say, "I wanna read the Bible."  It wasn't like he was loud, but when you're supposed to be silent and listen, it seemed like he was yelling.  He ate a few snacks, had a drink, and did, in fact, flip the pages of the Bible while sitting on either my, Mark's or Grandpa's lap.  It was a good time.
     After church, we came home, changed clothes, ate lunch, then Marcus napped.  As soon as he got up, we were on our way to have a BBQ (Canadian word for cookout - for all you American readers out there) with the Zylstra's (Mark's Mom's side of the family).  We arrived in Mississauga at Uncle Frank and Auntie Corrie's home and went straight to their back yard.  Greg was already there with Sam and Emma as Lisa stayed home with Alyssa who was still a little croupy.  Not long after getting there, everyone else arrived.  Mark's cousin Kristi, her husband Matt, and their little boy Bennett showed up and boy is he ever a cutie.  He has the biggest, sweetest set of eyes and some precious curly hair.  Mark's other cousins Ryan and Sean came in, along with his other aunt & uncle, Isaac & Flora.  The back yard was BEAUTIFUL and very serene.  We had a plethora of great food to go with our burgers and sausages and it was great to talk with everyone and catch up.
      Upon returning home, it was late and raining (which they desperately needed) but Mark, Marcus, and Grandpa played a few rounds of baseball out in the wetness.  I don't know which of the three had more fun.  When we came inside, Grandma added to the fun by giving Marcus a new piece of construction equipment toy that we just called a digger.  Either way, we've NEVER seen Marcus so excited about something new.  It was a super fun day.

Sam and Emma dropped by after church, prior to Marcus' nap - just to say hi!

I was shielding the sun from the camera shot, but I still thought this was a cool picture displaying the back yard at Uncle Frank and Auntie Corrie's house.

Mark's cousin Kristi and her baby boy, Bennett.

Digging

Marcus enjoyed throwing a ball with Uncle Greg, Mark's cousin Ryan, and Grandpa

Kids table - Marcus ate REALLY WELL (AND tried new foods!)

It was nice to enjoy the company of family on the back patio.

Uncle Isaac & his grandson Bennett - see any resemblance?

Auntie Corrie and Auntie Flora were showing Marcus how to feed the fish.

He tried his darndest to pick up those fish.

Playing baseball in the rain with Daddy & Grandpa.

Pure elation  - with his new "digger"

Our Trip to Canada - Day 1

     Even though we've been back from Canada for almost a week now, it's taken me longer than normal to get back into the swing of things.  Either way, here are the pictures from Day 1 in Canada.

PS - We left Friday afternoon and drove straight through, arriving at 3:30am.  Marcus was wonderful both when he was awake, and when he was asleep.  He was a great traveler. :)

First thing Saturday morning, he wanted to go see Sam and Emma (and baby "Wissa")

Emma was a wonderful big sister/cousin

Such a sweet picture of Emma

Just a swingin'

Marcus LOVED Sam's T-ball set

Sweet baby Alyssa, all ready for the Lion Safari

Grandma, Marcus, & Sam were checking out the map

Looking at some small monkeys

Greg & Alyssa at the elephant show

Marcus says the elephant was saying, "Hi Marcus!" in this picture.

Marcus, Daddy, & Emma at the Elephant Show

He talks about the elephant kicking the soccer ball even a week later.

Looks like one of the goats were getting a little frisky with Uncle Greg.

Daddy & Marcus (standing in goat poop)

We went on a bus ride through the property and saw ALL KINDS of animals.

We all swapped babies the whole ride.

He was also cutting an I-tooth, so his hands were CONSTANTLY in his mouth. (yes, we washed them after the petting zoo)

He loves his Aunt Lisa

Baby Alyssa LOVED her ice cream cone

We took a train ride & this may have been Marcus' favorite part.

Petting the camels on our way out.

Boat ride

He was absolutely wiped out when we got to the car.  He was asleep in less than five minutes.